A deep investigation about Websea USDT: Inside the Stolen Identity ‘Click-a-Button’ Ponzi Scam
An investigation has uncovered alarming details about Websea USDT, an online platform masquerading as a legitimate crypto trading operation while running what experts describe as a classic Ponzi scheme.
Operating under the guise of quantitative trading, the scheme employs deceptive tactics, stolen branding, and a “click a button” ruse to defraud unsuspecting investors.
Websea Anonymity at the Helm
A closer look at Websea USDT reveals a concerning absence of transparency. The company fails to disclose any details about its ownership or executive team, a common red flag in fraudulent schemes.
It operates through two known domains websea58usdt.vip and web-sea567-usdt.com both registered anonymously in April 2025.
Technical scrutiny of the website’s source code reveals Chinese language elements, suggesting the operation has connections to China.
No Products, No Services Just a Membership to Sell
Websea USDT offers no genuine products or services.
Its sole business activity is selling affiliate memberships, with promised returns far beyond what any legitimate investment could sustain.
The premise is simple: affiliates deposit the Tether (USDT) cryptocurrency and earn daily returns according to a tiered VIP system.
Investments range from 12 USDT for a daily return of 1.5 USDT at VIP1 level, to an eye-watering 356,888 USDT promising 79,308 USDT daily at VIP11.
Commissions are paid on a three-level recruitment structure, incentivizing affiliates to bring in new investors in exchange for percentages of their deposits.
A Familiar, Discredited Scheme
At its core, Websea USDT’s so-called ‘quantitative trading’ system involves affiliates logging into an app and clicking a button an action claimed to trigger revenue-generating trades.
In reality, experts say this mechanism is a façade. No actual trading occurs; instead, funds from new investors are used to pay earlier participants, following the traditional Ponzi model.
This tactic has been seen before. Similar schemes, such as Pantera Capital VIP, Lufthansa MVP, and Toyota WRC, have collapsed in recent years, leaving victims unable to recover their investments.
The Criminal Network Behind the Scenes
These scams are part of a broader web of organized cybercrime. Since 2021, hundreds of such “click a button” Ponzi apps have surfaced, primarily operated by Chinese criminal syndicates running scam factories in Southeast Asia.
Operations are often concealed behind the names of legitimate financial services brands to lure unsuspecting investors.
In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Treasury sanctioned Cambodian politician Ly Yong Phat for his alleged involvement in sheltering these scam factories.
Neighboring Myanmar claims to have deported over 50,000 Chinese nationals involved in such operations since late 2023.
Despite crackdowns, the scams persist. In early 2025, coordinated raids between Thai and Chinese authorities freed 10,000 trafficked hostages from compounds in Myanmar’s lawless border regions, controlled by the Karen National Army (KNA) and its warlord leader Chit Thu.
In May, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Chit Thu and his two sons for their roles in facilitating cyberscam operations.
A Growing Global Threat
As pressure mounts in Southeast Asia, intelligence suggests these criminal syndicates have begun relocating operations to other parts of the world, including Nigeria, Angola, and Brazil.
This geographic shift underscores the resilience and global reach of these cyberfraud networks.
While law enforcement agencies continue their international crackdowns, victims remain vulnerable.
In the lead-up to a collapse, these schemes typically lock investor accounts and disable withdrawals without warning.
Recovery scams often follow, with fraudsters demanding additional fees for the return of funds that will never materialize.
A Cautionary Conclusion
Websea USDT stands as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking within the unregulated corners of the cryptocurrency world.
The platform is a textbook example of a modern digital Ponzi scheme, exploiting both the allure of high returns and the opacity of blockchain-based transactions.
Authorities urge the public to exercise extreme caution, particularly with investment opportunities promising unrealistic profits and operating without clear, verifiable leadership.
If you believe you have been a victim of Websea USDT or a similar scheme, you are encouraged to contact your local financial crimes unit.
